Use Google AMP to tell a story better!

Now, that you are here I am sure you are aware of the buzz Google AMP story has created recently. So, let me understand, is this a naive step taken or are you figuring out how beneficial or not so beneficial the feature AMP is?

Still confused? Then, let me help you understand this concept better! We begin by answering a question: what would you choose? A visual or text?

With so much demand, the traditional modes of visual stories are evolving. And soon AMP stories are believed to become the new face of visual storytelling.

Sounds interesting?

First, let’s understand AMP stories better?

Imagine, you are in the middle of your research and the webpage takes more than 5 seconds to load. What would you do? Bang on the laptop like how our fathers used to do to get the TV back up and running in the 1990s? Or doodle your mouse making a Picasso picture on the desk? Frustrating right?

It's not just you who feels frustrated. In fact, 40% of consumers would abandon a webpage if it takes more than 3 seconds to load!

Only to save you from a scenario like this, Google created Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP). It significantly reduces the page load time. Google grandly launched the feature in 2015 and stated in its post,

“Every time a webpage takes too long to load, they lose a reader—and the opportunity to earn revenue through advertising or subscriptions…(AMP) aims to dramatically improve the performance of the mobile web. We want web pages with rich content like video, animations and graphics to work alongside smart ads, and to load instantaneously.”

Now comes the interesting part - Want to know how AMP will become the new face of visual storytelling?

When you check out AMP stories, do you feel that you are experiencing a known feature? Let's brainstorm where you might have seen it before!

AMP Stories used by Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat

Do these social media platforms and the ‘Stories’ feature seem to connect?

Google created AMP stories similar to that of the ‘Stories’ feature on Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat. And Google believes that AMP stories immerse readers in tappable, full-screen format thus, increasing user engagement.

Sounds right?

Can AMP stories be a benefactor for both publishers and readers?

What do you think? To me, it looks like a YES. Want to know why?

So, as a publisher you

Can give the best experience to your readers with the flexible storytelling concept

Can share and embed stories across sites and apps

Can show stories on mobile and desktop devices

Can engage with your readers more

Wondering hard what the users get?

Convenience.

Yes, you would be blessed with convenience for accessing content while doing your everyday chores like commuting or waiting for an Uber.

Can’t wait to see how the feature looks like or how it generally functions? Click here to discover the feature!

Want to know how the big shots are making AMP buzz?

Firstly, do you want to know the names of these big shots? They are Mashable, People, CNN, Conde Nast, Hearst, Meredith, Mic, Vox Media and The Washington Post.

Clearly, they and other small publishers are using the format to suit their strengths.

Mashable - capitalized on the Black Panther movie by rolling out a visual.

Digging more into statistics: Media publisher, Thrillist, converted 90 percent of their web pages to visual stories over a period of one month. And the lift was? 70 percent. Out of which, 50 percent is considered to be contributed by AMP stories.

Do you also want to check out statistics by an established e-commerce player, Myntra? Their implementation took about 11 days covering all their landing pages from Google (which numerically gave them 85-90 percent organic traffic). The implementation of visual stories decreases the bounce rate by 40 per cent thus, lifting the overall e-commerce result. Get details here.

Do you feel satisfied yet?

Wondering how the feature can boost your website’s SEO?

So, by this time you know that AMP stories will help increase user engagement. So technically, it will have a positive impact on your page views. Page load time was a ranking factor for only desktop searches until July 2018, after which it is also considerable for mobile searches as well. Since AMP stories are quick to load, thus, it increases your chance to rank better.

Also, AMP stories help in lowering bounce rates and increase the time spent on the site. It also helps you in increasing page views which directly helps to be featured in the AMP carousel that appears in Google search result.

Getting listed in the AMP caraousel

But, definitely, AMP stories have its disadvantages

This is that part of the blog which can neither be missed nor skipped.

When it comes to ranking in Google, AMP is not a factor itself. It only has a positive influence on mobile ranking due to its faster load time. So, a direct impact on the webpage’s SEO should not be expected as the feature will not increase the site’s page authority or domain authority.

AMP stories are stored and tracked differently than the standard pages. Of course, solutions are bound to appear but at this moment, tracking definitely takes special effort and resources. Also, implementing AMP is complex at times. The constant urge to update the standard can make the process confusing and might complicate its working with various CMSs.

So should you AMP or not?

Totally depends.

AMP stories are very much in an experimental phase. However, the feedback received from The Washington Post states that ‘the format is best suited for content that easily translates to a highly compelling and visual story in a few slides’.

Bottom line? AMP stories are definitely an exciting feature that has the potential to improve both user’s experience and the brand’s visibility.

Eager to set your AMP story?

Let Quintype help you. We are a publishing platform which provides you with an easy way to create visual story content. From the Quintype Editor, Bold, visual stories can be easily created like any other story.

We have a beautiful AMP story ‘The Dog Story’ to tell. View an example on your phone.

Still pondering?

We understand your concern but trust us. AMP story is definitely an upcoming trend which will take over the visual world soon. It sure has its disadvantages but, solutions to every glitch is under construction!